What Happens During ESI Fiscal Sponsorship Onboarding?

During onboarding, our staff collaborates with you at every stage to ensure a smooth integration into ESI’s systems and processes. Below are key areas to expect as a Sponsored Partner.  
 
Building the Foundation 
Onboarding starts by establishing the fiscal sponsorship relationship and managing any transition from a previous sponsor. We review existing contracts, grants, funder relationships, insurance, licenses, and other organizational obligations. The goal is to ensure a smooth transition and maintain continuity for your organization. 
 
Establishing Financial Systems 
Financial transition is a key part of onboarding. ESI works with each Sponsored Partner to set a cutover date and transfer the necessary financial information and systems for seamless ongoing operations. This may involve transferring funds and account details, setting up access to accounting systems, updating vendor and customer records, connecting donation platforms, establishing payment methods, and reviewing financial procedures. 
 
Where necessary, we also offer training to help staff understand how financial management will operate under the new fiscal sponsorship arrangement. 
 
Supporting Your Team 
For Model A Sponsored Partners, employees become part of ESI's employment structure. HR onboarding might involve transferring employment, setting up compensation and benefits, updating job descriptions, and finalizing the onboarding process. 
 
Connecting Technology and Systems 
Depending on your organization's needs, ESI can assist with setting up access to systems such as Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Zoom, Adobe, accounting platforms, and other technologies. 
 
Keeping Grants and Fundraising Moving 
For organizations engaged in grants or fundraising, onboarding establishes processes for accepting, monitoring, reporting, and managing funds. This includes organizing grant documentation, creating cash flow and payment schedules, defining reporting deadlines, and integrating online donation and fundraising platforms. 
 
Model A and Model C 
Every Sponsored Partner has unique needs, and onboarding differs depending on the fiscal sponsorship model.  
 
Model A usually involves a more comprehensive transition of organizational infrastructure, with ESI serving as the legal and operational home. This can include employees, benefits, accounting, insurance, financial management, and other administrative areas. 
 
Model C generally allows the organization to maintain most of its current operations. The onboarding process primarily focuses on grants, funding, payments, reporting procedures, fundraising systems, and the exchange of information and funds between the Sponsored Partner and ESI. 
 
In both models, we customize the onboarding process based on the organization's structure, goals, funding, personnel, and current systems. 
 
By the end of the process, our goal is for Sponsored Partners to have the infrastructure they need to move forward without having to build it themselves. 
 
Interested in learning more about fiscal sponsorship with ESI? Explore our Model A and Model C services to learn how we support mission-driven organizations.